Chizé: Village History and Nature

Chizé combines the history of a medieval village with landscapes along the Boutonne River and the natural heritage of the Forêt de Chizé. When planning a stay, you can focus on three different themes: village history, the municipal marsh, and trails and biodiversity in the forest.

Medieval traces in the village

A motte remains on the site of the former feudal castle. From there, you can look out over the village of Chizé and the Boutonne Valley. The Château de Chizé had fortifications dating from the 12th to 13th centuries and played an important role in Poitou during the Hundred Years’ War. The Battle of Chizé took place on 21 March 1373 and ended with a victory for the French and Bretons over the English.

The village itself also offers historical points of interest: its traditional local stone houses are considered particularly remarkable. You can reach the village church by following the village lanes. A walk lets you explore architectural and historical themes side by side without reducing them to a single period.

The Boutonne, marsh and forest

The Boutonne flows through Chizé. In the municipal Marais de Chizé, you can take a break in the natural surroundings with a picnic or an easy walk. There is also a children’s playground. If you plan to use it during your visit, check its current condition, as facilities can change. Information panels were installed in summer 2015.

Another natural area is the Forêt domaniale de Chizé. The former American military camp in this forest is now a 2,600-hectare integral biological reserve; the forest is also designated as a Natura 2000 site. Its biodiversity is described as comprising 31 mammal species, 6 reptile species, 8 amphibian species, 78 bird species and more than 530 butterfly species. New surveys may change these figures.

Plan trails and outings

The GR36 and the GRP de la Sylve d’Argenson pass through the forest. This 45 km trail runs between Beauvoir-sur-Niort and Saleignes, crossing the Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime départements. Check the exact route before setting out. Another pedestrian route connects Chizé and Availles across the Boutonne and includes two rope ferries. This route was inaugurated on 24 June 2025. If you plan to cross the river, check the current operating conditions before your trip.

The Zoodyssée animal park is also located in the Forêt de Chizé, although its address is in Villiers-en-Bois. It offers one-hour horse-drawn carriage rides accompanied by a member of the animal care team, who provides commentary. Dates and booking conditions may vary; check them in advance if you want to include a ride in your plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Les Alleuds, Chauray, Maisonnay, Pas-de-Jeu, Pamproux, Le Bourdet, Hanc, Souvigné.

For the main travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.